2012 Breeders' Cup Mile: European Contenders

Excelebration will attempt to get out from the shadow of Frankel with a trip to Santa Anita for the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Mile.  The 4-year-old son of Exceed And Excel has won 7 or 13 lifetime starts. 5 of his 6 losses have come to the magnificent Frankel. Scheduled to make his next start in the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on October 20th, Excelebration should vie for favoritism in the Mile with Wise Dan.

Farhh has been knocking heads with Europe’s finest (Frankel, Nathaniel, and So You Think) and just falling short. Last out, Farhh was a late running second to BC Mile contender, Moonlight Cloud in the Group I Prix de Moulin. Farhh is scheduled to start next in the 1 ¼ miles Grade I Champions Stakes on October 20th. Following the race at Ascot, a decision will be made whether to enter in the BC Mile or Turf.

Moonlight Cloud is a 3-time Grade I winning filly whose stock is on the rise. Though she defeated Farhh last out, she is best known for a nose defeat to super-mare, Black Caviar in the Grade I Diamond Jubilee Stakes last June at Royal Ascot. Moonlight Cloud is scheduled to train up to the BC Mile after her victory Group I Prix de Moulin. 

Cityscape has the advantage of a North American prep when running 3rd behind Wise Dan in the Grade I Woodbine Mile last out. The winner of the Group I Dubai Duty Free last March appears to be a fringe player since already being soundly defeated by many of the top contenders for the BC Mile.

Elusive Kate is no stranger to American soil and will try to improve on her 8th place finish in last year’s BC Juvenile Fillies Turf. The multiple Group I winner likes to run on the lead, which could compromise her chances if Americans, Obviously and Little Mike show up.

Caspar Netscher is also returning for a Breeders’ Cup encore after running 8th in last year’s BC Juvenile Turf. The 3-year-old Dutch Art colt has been off the board in his last 3 starts against many of Europe’s top contenders for this race.

Beauty Parlour is one of Europe’s top 3 year old fillies. A winner of 4 of 5, Beauty Parlour is Group I winner at a mile, but longer distances could be in her future. After running second last out in the Group I Prix de Diane at 1 5/16 miles, her year end goals are not set. We could see her show up in the BC Mile, BC Filly/Mare Turf or possibly the Group I Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Side Glance has danced in most of Europe’s big dances, while hitting the board in a majority of them, he has never captured Group I glory.  North American racing is not foreign to Side Glance, as he checked in 4th in last year’s Grade I Woodbine Mile. Side Glance is a very consistent horse who can hit the board at a big piece, making for some juicy exotic payoffs.

Power is a 2-time Group I winner and stable mate of top-ranked Excelebration. Though he has not faced elders yet, the 3-year-old son of Oasis Dream appears to be a 1-mile specialist as evidenced with his win in the Group I Irish 2000 Guineas. In that race, he defeated Kentuck Derby starter, Daddy Long Legs and 2011 BC Juvenile Turf winner, Wrote.

Immortal Verse made waves across the pond with her victory last year over Goldikova in the Group I Prix Jacques de Marois. Since that victory she has only hit the board once in 4 starts. A change of scenery may just be what the doctor ordered to turn the tide.

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